Seriously, though. OP - how do you hold your camera/lens? I have been supporting my lenses with my left hand since I started shooting with DSLR's, and have never had a balance issues, even with a 100-400L on a Canon 400D.

Even with the 12-40/2.8 mounted on the front of my E-M1 I find no problems with balance. The E-M1 doesn't work so well for me with the smaller primes - not so much balance as lacking space for the left hand. YMMV

I find that the balance with 12-40 is really bad, such that I have to use a battery grip with it.

I bought the grip for use with 35-100, but now I need to use it with 12-40 instead.

Think whether to buy another grip but will be waste of money and additional weight.

I will lose out a L-Fn button and the working distance for close-up shot, if I switch to Panasonic 12-35 f2.8.

Dilemma.

Click to expand...

As an intermission from the other jokers in this thread.

I generally have to agree with you. The 12-40 is very front heavy and the 12-35 is simply a better balanced lens on m43. I've owned all the m43 zooms and I kept the 12-40 for a week. This is my take on the various zoom lenses:

Wow, this must be the first time that I heard that the 12-40 does not balance well on the E-M1. We have had threads about the O12-40 not balancing well on the E-M10, E-M5, etc.

Click to expand...

The 12-40 and the 12-60 don't fell a whole lot different mounted on the E-M1. IMO, the 12-60 is the better choice simply because you get more reach (12mm mustache distortion aside which can be annoying in some contexts for sure).

I've always thought the E-M1 and the 12-40 are perfectly balanced in terms of size and looks. Other lenses look too small and/or thin on it.

In terms of heft, I don't know what they mean by "imbalanced" either; otherwise, any telephoto would be absolutely unusable. My left hand supports the lens, not the body (unless it's a really small lens). With that, I've never experienced problems with physical balance of any lens except on a tripod.

I generally have to agree with you. The 12-40 is very front heavy and the 12-35 is simply a better balanced lens on m43. I've owned all the m43 zooms and I kept the 12-40 for a week. This is my take on the various zoom lenses:

Slightly off topic I had the chance to look at the 7-14f2.8 last night, and it is huge. It is significantly bigger and heavier than the 12-40. It makes me very glad I got the 8mm 1.8.

Click to expand...

I've also owned both, and I agree - the 12-40 feels a little bulky and front heavy. I got a good deal on it when the Panasonic was stolen, so I've kept it, but I would probably get the penny again if the 12-40 was damaged or stolen simply because it balances slightly better.

Links in this page may be to our affiliates. Sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.